FIRST FIGHT

A scream. Muffled, desperate.

He turned instinctively. A few meters away, three burly figures surrounded a hunched old man and a boy who couldn't be older than ten. Both wore patched rags, their faces betraying the misery of those who had spent too long fighting against a world that gave them no respite.

He knew them.

The old man was named Eldon, a scrap collector who came to the Junkyard with his grandson, Tariq, searching for useful parts to sell. They never bothered anyone. Eldon was kind, always sharing the little he had with other Outcasts. And Tariq… well, he was just a child who had yet to understand how cruel this world could be.

And standing before them were the thugs.

Three massive men, clad in leather jackets, their eyes brimming with malice. Kael had seen them before. They weren't part of any big gang, but they acted like they owned the junkyard, stealing from the weak every time they came to "collect taxes."

— I saw you hiding something, old man — growled the tallest one, a guy with a scar on his cheek. Bork. Always the leader of these encounters.

Eldon shook his head, his voice trembling.

— No… I have nothing, I swear. Just a few worthless circuit boards.

Bork snatched the canvas bag from his shoulder and emptied it onto the ground. Rusty metal scraps and broken wires fell with a hollow sound.

— You think I care about this trash? — Bork landed a punch to his stomach, making Eldon double over in pain.

— Grandpa! — Tariq ran to help him, but one of the other thugs grabbed him by the collar and lifted him off the ground.

— Look at this little bug. Maybe we can sell him to the Gears.

Kael felt something stir inside him.

He had seen things like this before. The strong crushing the weak. He had learned, like all Outcasts, that intervening only brought trouble. That sticking your nose where it didn't belong was the fastest way to end up dead.

But this time, something was different.

The dark window in his vision glowed subtly.

Side Quest: The Anti-Hero's Path

Option 1: Intervene and punish the thugs.

Reward: Intimidation skill +5, Infamy +10.

Option 2: Ignore the conflict and walk away.

Reward: Nothing.

Kael felt his heart pounding.

This was his first test.

Before, he would have done nothing. He would have lowered his gaze and moved on. But now… now he had power.

Now he had a choice.

The thugs hadn't seen him yet. He could attack. He could break their bones and see how far his new role could take him.

Or he could walk away. Let life run its course, as he always had.

Kael clenched his fists.

Destiny was calling him. He exhaled sharply. He couldn't ignore it.

Maybe he didn't fully understand what it meant to be an Anti-Hero yet, but he knew what it was like to watch an old man and a child get beaten while everyone looked the other way. He had been that child once. And no one had helped him.

This time, he was going to do something.

He approached with a steady stride, careful not to show hostility. His strategy wasn't to fight immediately. He still wasn't sure he could win.

— Leave them alone.

His voice was louder than he expected, echoing between the heaps of scrap.

The three thugs turned in unison.

Bork frowned, then smirked.

— Well, well… look who it is. The broke programmer.

The other two chuckled mockingly.

— Got something to say, trash? — said the one still holding Tariq. A guy with a scar on his forehead, known as Drek.

Kael swallowed but kept his expression neutral.

— I'm just saying it makes no sense. That old man has nothing valuable, and the kid even less.

Bork pretended to think for a moment.

— Hmm… good point. But since we're here, we might as well have some fun.

"Shit."

Kael saw the punch coming, but he wasn't fast enough to dodge it.

Bork's fist, as solid as a brick, slammed into his chest, making him stagger back. The pain was real. And a message flashed before him:

Damage received: -15 HP

This wasn't just a game.

Before he could react, Drek grabbed his arm and drove a knee into his ribs.

Kael spat saliva and fell to his knees.

The thugs laughed.

— Look at the hero… That's all you've got?

Kael trembled.

No, that wasn't all.

Deep inside, something awakened.

A dark heat coursed through his spine, sharpening his senses. The voices of the thugs slowed down, as if time had thickened around him.

His System window flashed.

Skill Unlocked: Shadow StrikeEffect: Guaranteed hit with a 150% power increase.Cost: 5 Energy.

Kael felt the choice within him.

He didn't think.

He pushed off the ground and punched Drek in the jaw with all his strength.

The thug flew backward as if hit by a train, crashing into a pile of debris. His head struck with a dull thud, and he went unconscious.

Bork and the other thug froze.

Kael looked at his fist. It still burned.

— Son of a bitch… — Bork growled, pulling out a knife.

Kael didn't give him the chance.

He lunged forward with a speed he didn't know he had, dodging the slash and driving an elbow into Bork's throat. Bork choked and dropped to his knees.

The last thug turned and ran.

Kael panted heavily.

Eldon watched him with a mix of fear and relief. Tariq, still trembling, gazed at him in awe.

Bork writhed on the ground, spitting blood.

— Y-you're gonna regret this…

Kael stepped closer and kicked him in the stomach.

— You regret it now.

The thug went unconscious.

Kael stood still for a second, feeling the adrenaline rush through his body.

Then, a new message appeared.

Congratulations. First battle won.Rewards:

Experience +250

Infamy +5

New Skill: Intimidating Presence (+10% success in intimidating weaker enemies).

Kael exhaled sharply.

Eldon looked at him seriously, then nodded.

— You saved us… thank you.

Kael averted his gaze.

He didn't know if he had done this for them… or for himself.

But one thing was certain.

He had just crossed a line.

And there was no turning back.